Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess the efficacy and safety of panzyga® (intravenous immunoglobulin 10%) in preventing serious bacterial infections (SBIs) in patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDs), a prospective, open-label, multicenter, phase 3 study and an open-label extension study were undertaken. METHODS: Initially, the study drug (infusion rate ≤0.08 mL/kg/min) was administered at intervals of 3 or 4 weeks for 12 months, followed by 3 months of panzyga® at infusion rates increasing from 0.08 to 0.14 mL/kg/min. The primary endpoint in the main study was the rate of SBIs per patient-year on treatment. Secondary outcomes included non-serious infections, work/school absence, episodes of fever, quality of life, and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: The main study enrolled 51 patients (35% female, mean age 26.8 years), with 21 participating in the extension study. The rate of SBIs per patient-year was 0.08 in the total population; there were four SBIs in the 4-weekly treatment group (2/30 patients) and none in the 3-weekly group (n = 21). Compared with 4-weekly treatment, 3-weekly treatment was associated with a higher rate of upper respiratory tract infections (RTIs), ear infections, and work/school absences, but a lower rate of lower RTIs and fever. Treatment was generally well tolerated; no AE led to treatment withdrawal or death. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the use of panzyga® in patients with antibody-deficient PID was associated with a low rate of AEs and was effective in preventing SBIs, exceeding US FDA and European Medicines Agency recommendations for efficacy.